From the Personal Representative – March 15, 2017

The “Ides of March” are upon us signaling it is the 15th of March and 2017 is pushing forward. Our March meeting on Friday the 24th is our annual Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal. It affords our members and Friends of the Rite the opportunity to remember and honor those who have passed to the Celestial Lodge above during the 2016 year. It also allows us a chance to reflect and renew our commitment to the Scottish Rite and the many lessons contained therein. During the ceremony, it would be appropriate to renew our commitment to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (A.A.S.R.) in our hearts, and commit to continuing the journey we all started when we became a Master of The Royal Secret. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm with the ceremony to begin at 7:30 pm. As with all our meetings that are not tyled; please feel free to invite those brothers and their spouses or significant others to join us for dinner and the program, affording them an opportunity to understand some of the lessons we learn and witness the fellowship we share.

Also around the corner is the Spring Reunion on the 8th and 9th of April. The degree masters and various committee heads have met, and we are in the preparation mode to ensure we have a superb Reunion following the fall reunion which was cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew. Make sure these dates are on your calendars, and I encourage those brothers who are not participating in the reunion to take a small amount of time and participate by being a member of the audience. Watch a degree or two, join us for breakfast or lunch, but most important enjoy some fellowship with your brothers. We would be pleased to have you join us.

Last, but by no means least is the annual Celebrate the Craft (CTC) webathon, which this year will take place on Saturday the 20th of May from 6 pm to midnight. As in past years, your charitable donation made during the webathon may be split between the Rebuilding the Temple Campaign and the Scottish Rite charities in your Orient as directed by your SGIG or Deputy. In our case that would be to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida USA, Inc. which supports our 14 language learning disorder clinics. For more information on his national webathon visit https://scottishrite.org/development/giving/celebrate/. As we have done in past years we will host a fellowship gathering at the Valley Masonic Center with details to follow in future editions of the eNews. Until details are published please put the evening of the 20th of May on your calendar and join us at the Valley to fellowship and watch the CTC live.

Until next time, remember the many things for which you are thankful! Be safe in your travels; “whisper wise counsel in the ear of an erring brother;” and respect the dignity of all, as it makes you and our fraternity stronger one action at a time. We are realizing the benefits of Scottish Rite Freemasonry as we actively participate today. We want to ensure that what we are enjoying today will be strong for those who will follow. Simply stated – “We lead the way today, so those who follow us can lead the way tomorrow!” Thanks for your continued support and participation; and may the “Spirit of Fraternity” reign supreme within our “Valley of Orlando!”